Coin-controlled vending-machine.



Ii. E. BARBER & A. D. GROVER.

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6| I9I2.

Patented Sept. 17, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

E. E. BARBER & A. D. GROVER.

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6.1912.

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Patented Sept. 17, 1918.

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E. E. BARBER 61 A. D. GROVER.

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION man APR. 6. 1912.

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STAT? PATENT OFFICE.

EARL E. BARBER, OF BOSTON, AND ALBERT D. GROVER, OF MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS,-

ASSIGNORS, MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO .AUTOSALES CORPORATION, A CORPORA- TION. OF NEW YORK.

COIN-CONTROLLED VENDING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 6, 1912. Serial No. 688,909.

of a coin for the delivery of a suitable commodity, and has for its general object the provision of a new and improved single-acti on machine suitable for attachment to the back of theater chairs. In its preferred form, the machine of our invention comprises two compartments, but it will be clear that certain features may be embodied in a single-compartment machine.

One object of our invention is to provide a vending machine with a cylindrical goodscompartment rotatably mounted in the easing and normally locked in closed position. This compartment has an opening or cutaway portion to expose the goods for remo val by the patron when the compartment is in open position. Viewing this feature of our invention in a somewhat broader aspect, we may say that the casing of the machine is provided with a rotatable cylindrical cover which is adapted, when in open posi tion, to support and expose the goods.

Another object of our inventionis to provide an. actuating mechanism for the cover of the machine, so constructed as to automatically lock the cover in open position. The cover cannot be moved into closed position until the actuating mechanism has been moved into releasing position. This is done by means of specialkey inserted into the casing. The inserted key engages the actuating mechanism and moves the same into releasing position.

A further object of our invention is to pro vide a coin-controlled mechanism by means of which the locking device for each cover or compartment is moved into releasing position through the medium of a coin resting on a support in the coin chute. A hand-operated member controlled from the outside of the casing forces the deposited coin against the locking device. As soon as the cover is released, the actuating mechanism (previously referred to) moves the cover into open position and looks it in such position.-

The coin support in the coin chute is movable and it is necessary to move it out of the coin chute to release the coin. This releasing movement of the coin support is in the .preferred form of our invention accomplished by the same key which restores the actuating mechanism to unlock the open cover.

Another feature of our invention consists in a coin box provided with one or more rigid keys adapted to be inserted into the casing of the machine for releasing the coins retained in the coin chutes and, preferably,

also moving the lid-actuating mechanism into releasing position. The released coins drop into the box. This absolutely obviates all danger of the released coins dropping to the floor, when the collector comes to with draw the money and replenish the machine.

The above and other objects and advantages of our invention will become apparent from a detailed description of the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a Patented Sept. 1'7, 1918.-

two compartment machine embodying the various features of our invention;

Fig. 2is a top plan view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of Fig. 1. the cylindrical cover or compartment at the right'being shown in open position, while the cover or compartment at the left is locked in closed position;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a'longitudinal sectional view on line 55 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the locking device associated with each cover or compartment for holding the same locked in closedtion substantially on line 88 of Fig. 7, looking in the direction of the arrows; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of our new coin-box provided with upstanding keys for restoring the actuating mechanisms for the covers and releasing the deposited coins.

The various operating parts of our machine are inclosed in a metallic casing which is substantially rectangular in form with rounded corners. The main body of the easing comprises a front wall 1, rear wall 2,

sides 3 and a and a bottom 5. The sides and bottom are preferably formed of one piece, as shown in Fig. at. The rear wall of the casing may be cut away as shown at 6 in Figs. 3 and 7 to render ready access to the working parts of the machine for inspection or removal. The size of the casing in an actual machine will be about the same as that shown in the drawings. From this it will be seen that our machine is sufiiciently small to be attached to the back of a theater chair without presenting any obstruction to persons passing through the aisle at the back of the chair. The casing is of course given a finish to present a neat and attractive ap pearance.

A pair of, cylindrical goods-compartments, indicated as a whole by A and B, are rotatably mounted in the casing upon opposite sides of the longitudinal center thereof. p

The mounting of these compartments may be accomplished in variousways. In the drawings we have shown each compartment provided with a front stud 7 and a rear stud 8, by means of which they are journaled in the front and rear walls, respectively, of the casing. This is best shown in Fig. 8. Each compartment consists of a front wall 9, a rear wall 10 and a cylindrical top portion 11. The compartments may therefore be said to be cylindrical in form. The rear willv be observed that the top portion 11 of the compartments extends about half way around, so that when the compartment is in open'position, the vendable article 13 is in exposed position to be removed by the patron, as shown at the left of Fig. 4. The part indicated by 13 is intended to represent a cylindrical box of chewing-gum, candy or other commodity. lVhen the compartment is in closed position, as shown at the right of Fig. 1, the box 13 rests upon a shelf or a partition 15. When the compartment is moved into open position in the direction indicated by the arrow 16 in Fig. 4, the top 11 scoops up the box 18, and supports the same until removed from the compartment. It will therefore be seen that we have provided, in a vending machine, a rotatable compartment which also performs the function of a cover and which, when in open position, supports the vendable article.

The rear wall 10 of each compartment is provided with a rigid arm 16. As seen from Fig. 8, the arm 16 is arranged to move in the space 17 provided between the rear wall 2 of the casing and the rear wall 10 of the compartment. The compartments are spaced from the rear wall of the casing by means of a hub 18. The space 17 is closed at the top by means of a forwardly projecting flange 19 provided at the upper edge of'the rear wall 2. This flange also overhangs the rear wall 10 of each compartment,so as toprevent the insertion of a sharp instrument into the space 17.. WVith the arm 16 of each compartment cooperates a lever 20, which is 'pivotally mounted on pin 21 supported in the front and rear walls of the casing. Each of the levers 20 is shown in the drawings as an integral part of the sleeve 22 which is rotatably mounted on the pin or shaft 21. The sleeves 22 are each provided at the forward end with an arm 23 which extends clownwardly at a considerable angle to the lever 20. The lever 20 and the associated arm 23 are thus rigidly connected together and form in effect a bell-crank. A coil spring 24., wound around each of the sleeves 22, bears at its lower end 25 against the side of the casing and at its upper end 26 against a pin 27 on the lever 20. The normal or unoperated position of the lever20 is that shown at the left of Fig. 3, or at the right of Fig. 4:. In this position, the upper end of the lever 20 engages the lower end of the edge 28 of the arm 16. It will be apparent from Fig. 3 that, withthe cover or compartment B free to move, the lever 20 will under the influence of spring 24 rotatethe arm 16, and with it the compartment B, in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow. At the end of such movement, the parts will occupy the position shown at the right of Fig. 3 or at the left of Fig. 4. It will be observed that when the compartment is in open position, the upper end of the lever 20 engages the locking edge 29 of the arm 16. It is evident that as the locking edge 29 is substantially at right angles to the lever 20, the engagement of these two parts positively prevents movement of the arm 16. In other words, when the locking lever 20 has reached the end of its movement to open the compartment, it automatically locks the compartment inopen position. This is one of the 7 most important features of our invention. By thus being able to dispense with a separate locking mechanism to hold the lid in open position, we greatly simplify the construction and operation of the machine.

The rear wall of each compartment is provided with a notch 30 in which engages the locking pawl 31. This pawl is rigid with the sleeve, 39. by means of which it is rotatably mounted on the pin or stud 33 secured to the front wall of the casing. The pawls 1c 31 project each through a recess 34 in the transverse partition 15. This partition is held in place by engaging at its ends in the slotted projections 35 carried by the side walls of the casing, as best shown in Fig. 4. From the sleeve 32 depends an arm 36 which may be conveniently formed integral with the sleeve. The arm 36 carries a pin 37 which engages the lower end of the coil spring 38 wound around the sleeve 32. The 20. upper end 39 of this spring abuts against the under side of the partition 15. The tendency of the spring 38 is to hold the locking pawl 31 in the notch of the associated compartment, as shown at the left 25 of Fig. 3. The pawl 31 and arm 36, which are rigid with the sleeve 32, operate as one piece which may conveniently be referred. to as a locking device. It will be clear that when the arm 36 of the locking device is so moved outwardly-that is to say, away from the longitudinal center of the casing-the pawl 31 is rocked out of engagement with the associated compartment, so that the corresponding actuating mechanism is free to open the compartment. p

7 In the casing are arranged two coin chutes 40 which diverge downwardly from the space between the two compartments. Each coin chute is provided with a curved exten- 40 sion. 41 which bears against the block 42 rigidly arranged between the front and rear walls of the casing. Block 42 is held in place by means of a screw 43 which enters the block from the rear wall of the casing. The sides of the block 42 are curved to accommodate the curvedextensions 41 of the coin chutes. The extensions 41 are provided with lateral flanges 44 having the coin slots 45. The lower or underside of each coin so chute is provided with an opening or cutaway portion, 46, while the upper side is provided with an opening or cut-away por- 7 tion 47. The openings 47 are wide enough to permit. the passage therethrough of a proper coin. Through the opening 47 of each coin chute extends a coin support 48 on which a deposited coin will rest until released. It should be noted that the coin support 48 extends into the coin chute a little below the lower end of the opening 46. The purpose of this will bepresently explained. The coin support 4.8 is provided with a pair of arms '49'which are pivoted on a pin 50 carried by the front wall of the casing, as best shown in Fig. 8. The coin supports 48 are normally held in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 by means of a spring 51 coiled about the pin 50. The upper end of this spring bears against the lug 52 projecting from the front wall of the casing, while the lower end of the spring bears against one of the arms 49 at thepoint 53. The inward movement of the coin support is limited by its engagement with the underside of the coin chute. A pin or rod 54, rigidly secured in the bottom of the casing, extends upwardly toward the opening 46 of each coin chute. The upper end of the pin 54 terminates substantially in alinement with the lower wall of the coin chute and is at such 80. distance from the coin support 48 that acoin 55 resting on the coin support (as shown at the right of Fig. 4) is engaged on its underside by the pin 54 substantially at the center. In this way the pin 54 forms a prop for the coin. Should the deposited check be a washer 56 having the usual opening 57 in its center, the washer will fall by gravity out of the coin chute through the'opening 26 and be strung, as it were, on the pin 54. The falling Washer is indicated in dotted lines at 56 in Fig. 4. The final position of the washer is indicatedat 56 in. full lines. In order to facilitate the stringing of the washers on the pins, the latter are preferably curved. In the space between the coin chutes 40 operates a depending arm 58 which is rigidly secured to theinner end of the operating shaft 59 by any suitable means, such as a pin 60. This shaft is journaled in the hub portion 61 of the front plate 1 and extends outside of the casing to receive the operating knob or wheel 62. The knob 62 is rigidly connected with the shaft 59 in any suitable manneras, for instance, by means of the pin 63. The actuating arm 58 is held in its central or normal position by a pair of centralizing springs 64 whichv engage at their upper ends the opposite sides of the pin 65 carried by the arn'i 58. The springs 64 are coiled about a pair of studs 66 carried by the front wall of the casing. The lower ends of the centralizing springs 64 bear against a pin 6'? projecting inwardly from the front wall of the casing. Any suitable centralizing means for the arm 58 may be employed, but the arrangement of double springs which we have shown is particularly effective, without interfering with the proper operation of the arm. The function of the arm 58 is to move the dcposited coin against the arm 36 of one or the other of the two locking devices to. move the same out of locking engagement with the compartn'ients. This operation is best shown at the left of Fig. 4 where the deposited coin 68 has been forced by the arm 58 against the cam surface 69 of the arm 36. The latter is preferably slotted at 70 at its lower end, so that the cam surface 69 may contact with the coin at opposite sides of the vertical center of the coin. The arm 58, on the other hand, engages the coin substantially on its vertical center, so that the coin is firmly held between the arm 36 and the arm 58 without danger of slipping or being twisted to one side or the other. The movement of the coin'by the arm 58 against the arm 36 of the locking device is a pivotal movement substantially about the point where the coin rests on the support 48 in the coin chute. The object of having the support 48 a little below the lower end of the opening 46, as heretofore referred to, is to prevent slipping of the coin at its lower end during the pivotal movement.

The operation of our machine as thus far described will now be clearly understood, but it may be briefly restated as follows: When a patron desires to obtain a package out of compartment A, which is the left compartment, he deposits the proper coin in the left of the two coin slots 45. On the other hand, should he want the goods in the compartment- B, he the other coin slot. Assuming that the proper coin has been deposited in the coin slot associated with compartment A, the patron turns the knob 62 in a clockwise direction as far as he can. lVhile the knob is thus turned,the arm 58 is brought against the deposited coin 68 (see left of Fig. 4) until the coin has rocked the locking device of the compartment A out of the notch 30. As soon as the compartment is released, the actuating lever 20 is under the influence of the spring 24 moved from the position shown at the left of F 3 to the position shown at the left of Fig. 4-, thereby rotating the compartmentinto open position and automatically locking the same, as heretofore described in detail. hen the compartment is open, theboX 13 containing the vendable goods is accessible to the patron and is readily removed by the hand. \Vhen a coin has been deposited in the right-hand slot, the patron turns the knob in a counter clockwise direction, so as to bring the arm 58 against the coin in the right-hand coin chute.

It should be observed that the machine will not operate unless a proper coin is deposited. The size of the coin slots 45 prevents the deposition of a coin larger than that intended for the machine. Should a coin of smaller than the prescribed diameter be deposited, the arm 36 will not be sufficiently'actuated to move the pawl 31 out of the notch 30 of the associated compartment. Should a washer of the proper dimensions be deposited, it will find no support in the coin chute and will drop on to one of the pins 54, as previously explained. In order to prevent the extraction of a proper coin to which a string has been attached, we have arranged a dog 69 to hang into each of the coin chutes,

deposits a coin in coin chutes through the opening 47. The dogs 69 are pivoted on pins 7 0 carried by the front plate 1 and hang by gravity across the as best shown in Fig. 4.- lVhen a coin is deposited the pawls are swung out-' wardly by the momentum of the coin and readily allow the same to pass. Should the deposited coin have a string or wire'attached to i t and an attempt is made to withdraw the coin after the operation of the machine, the string or wire will be clamped between the lower edge 71 of the pawl and the side of the coin chute. If the pull on the string be sufliciently hard, the edge 47 willsever the Si1111.

It will be observed that each of the covers or compartments is provided with a flange 7 2 which, when the compartment is in closed position, rests in the recess 78 formed on each side of the casing. In this way it is impossible to pry the machine open by inserting an instrument under the flange 72. When the compartment is in open position, the flange 72 rests on the extension 44 of the adjacent coin chute and covers or obstructs the coin slot 45, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The flange 72 thus performs a triple function: namely, it forms a positive stop for the compartment in closed position, it alsolimits the movement of the compartment to open position, and furthermore automatically covers or obstructs the coin chute, so as to prevent the deposition of a coin when the machine is open.

e will now describe how the open compartment is closed after being refilled, and how the coins are taken out of the machine. The arm 23 of each actuating mechanism is provided at its lower end with a lateral lug or pin 7%. The arms i9 of each coin support are at the upper end connected together by a pin 7 The relative position of the pins 74 and 75 is such that when a suitable key 76 is inserted through an opening at the bottom of the casing, the pins engagethe key upon opposite sides 'and are forced apart. In this way the coin support and the associated actuating mechanism are moved from the position shown at the right of Fig. 3 to a position corresponding to that shown on both sides of Fig. 7; In other words (referring to the right half of Fig. 3), when the key 76 with its tapered end 77 is inserted between the pins 74 and 75, the coin support 48 is rocked out of the coin chute to release the deposited coin, while at the same time the lever 20 is moved from its locking position to the position shown in Fig. 7. The restoration of the lever 20 permits the open compartment to be moved back to a closed position. This is not done, of course, until after it has been replenished by the person in charge. This person will also have the key 76. VVhen'the compartment reaches the end of its movement into closed leasing keys, are obvious.

operation above described with respect to 'one key, takes place simultaneously with respect to both keys. In this way, the mere insertion of the two keys on the coin box into the machine, releases both coins and simultaneously restores the two actuating mechanisms into initial position, so that the operator may fill the compartments and swing them into closed position. The released coins drop into the coin box 78. It

will thus be clear that the operation of releasing the coins and replenishing the machine is exceedingly simple and requires only a few seconds. The advantages of providing a coin box with one or both re- It oftentimes happens that when a collector goes around in a theater to replenish the machines and collect the money, the released coins drop out of his hands and roll to the floor. These coins are frequently lost because the collecting is done at a time when the theater is dark, and furthermore the collector has no time to look for the dropped coins. With our improved releasing device, the loss of coins is'absolutely prevented, because when the keys are inserted in the machine the coin box is in position to catch the released coins. Furthermore, in the old way of collecting the coins from machines heretofore used, the collector had to use one hand to insert the releasing key and the other hand to catch the released coin. By the use of our improved releasing device, the collector uses one hand :to insert the keys of the coin box and the other hand to replenish the machine and close the compartments. Where the features of our invention are embodied in a single-compartment machine, the coin box will, of course, have but one key. Obviously, the keysmay assume a variety of forms. It should be understood in this connection that the simultaneous release of the coins in a plurality'of coin chutes may be accomplished by a key mechanism in which the keys are rigidly connected together otherwise than by a coin box. Such key mechanism comes within the broad scope of our invention. v

While we have herein shown and described one specific embodiment of our invention, we would have it understood that we do not intend to be limited to the'precise form shown, but that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of our invention as defined in the appended claims.

Owing to an oflicial requirement for division, the claims in this case are all directed to some feature of the coin-controlled mechanism, or include some part associated or connected with such mechanism. Claims relating to the general construction of the casing andthe delivery mechanism, independent of the coin mechanism and its associated parts, are contained in a co-pending divisional application.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a vending machine, a casing provided with a rotatable cover, means for rotating said cover into open position, said rotating means automatically locking the cover in open position, and coin-controlled mechanism for normally locking said cover in closed position, said mechanism being operable through the medium of a coin to permit operation of said cover-rotating means.

2. In a vending machine, a casing provided with a rotatable cylindrical cover and a coin-entrance slot adjacent to said cover but separate therefrom, coin-controlled mechanism for rotating said cover into open position, and means on the outside of said cover for automatically closing said slot when the cover is in open position.

3. In a vending machine, a casing provided witha rotatable cylindrical cover and a coin-entrance slot adjacent to said cover but separate therefrom, coin-controlled mechanism for rotating said cover'into open position, and a flange on the outside of said cover for automatically'covering said slot when the cover is in open position.

4. In a vending machine, a casing pro vided with a rotatable cylindrical cover adapted to support the goods when in open position, and coin-controlled mechanism for rotating said cover into open position, said mechanism including means for automatically locking the cover in open position.

5. In a vending machine, the combination of a casing having a coin-entrance slOt, a rotatable cylindrical cover mounted in said casing, and a flange on the outer rim of said cover adapted to engage said casing over the coin slot when the cover is in open position, whereby said flange forms a positive stop for said cover and also closes the coin slot. a

6. In a vending machine, the combination of a substantially rectangular casing having a cylindrical cover at its upper end rotatable in the plane of the casing, said casing forming a chamber below said cover, a shoulder provided on said cover, a verticallyswinging pawl mounted within said chamber below said cover and normally engaging said shoulder to lock the cover in closed position, spring-pressed mechanism normally tending to rotate said cover into open position, and a coin-operated device mounted in said chamber for disengaging said pawl from said shoulder, whereupon 'said mechanism is free to rotate said cover.

7. In a coin-controlled device, the combination of a coin-chute inclined longitudinally at an angle from the vertical and provided with an opening in its underside, a

fixed pin extending toward said opening to coin chute through the upper opening there of, a fixed pin extending upwardly toward the lower opening to engage centrally the under side of the inclined coin resting on said support and thereby form a prop for said coin, a hand-operated arm adapted to engage the deposited coin and swing the same about its pivot of support through said opening, a movable member projecting into the path of movement of the coin and adapted to be actuated thereby, the coin remaining on said support after said handoperated member returns to normal position. and a key for movingsaid support out of the coin chute to release the coin;

9. In a vending machine, the combination of a coin chute having openings in its opposite sides, a movable coin support extending from one side into said coin chute, means cooperating with said movable support to sustain the'coin in operative position, a hand-operated member adapted to engage the. supported coin through the opp'osite opening and swing the same about its point of support, a movable member projecting into the path of movement of the coin and adapted to be actuated thereby, the coin remaining on said support after said hand-operated member is returned to normal position, and a key for moving saidsupport out of the coin chute to release the coin. Y

10. In a vending n1achine, the combination of a casing provided with a cover, a spring-pressed actuating member for said cover, a coin chute, a swinging coin supportextending into said coin chute to support the deposited coin, means for locking said cover in closed position, a hand-operated arm for moving the coin on Said support into engagement with said locking means to move the latter into releasing position, whereupon the actuating member moves the cover into open position and automatically holds it locked in such position, and a key for simultaneously restoring the actuating member to initial position to release the cover, and swinging said coin support out of the coin chute to release the coin.

11. In a vending machine, the combination of a casing provided with a cover, means for locking said cover in open position, a coin chute provided with a movable coin support,- means cooperating with said support to hold a deposited coin in the chute, mechanism controlled through the 'medium of a coin on said support to cause movement of said cover into open position, and a key for simultaneously actuating said locking means to release "the cover and moving said coinsupport to release the coin. V

'12. In a coin-controlled device, the combination of a casing provided with a cover, a spring-pressed lever for actuating said cover into open position and automatically looking it in such position, a coin-chute within said casing, a movable coin-support extending into said coin-chute, means cooperating with said support to sustain the deposited coin in operative position within said chute, a member for controlling the operation of said lever, hand-operatedmechanism for actuating said member through the medium of the sustained coin, and means for simultaneously restoring said lever to release the cover and moving said coin-support to release the coin.

13. In a vending machine, the combination of a casing provided with a cover, means for locking saidcover in open position, a coin chute having a coin support, and means for simultaneously actuating said locking means to release the cover and moving said coin support to release'the coin.

14. In a coin-controlled device having a casing, the combination with a coinchute, open at both ends, and means for supporting a coin in said chute, of mechanism provided with a key adapted'to be inserted into the casing 'for operating said supporting means to release the coin, and means on said mechanism for receiving the released coin.

15. The combination with" a coin-controlled device having a casing provided with a coin-chute open at both ends, and means for supporting a coin in said chute, of a key adapted to be inserted into-the casing for op erating said supporting means to release the coin, and integral means on said ceiving the released com.

16. In a vending machine, a substantially key for re rectangular casing provided with a pair of covers spaced apart and rotatable in the plane of said casing, a pair of coin-entrance slots provided in the space between said casmg and arranged zit-right angles to the plane of said casing, a pair of downwardly diverging coin-chutes extending from said slots, a pair of locking devices for said covers mounted outside of the divergent space be tween said coin-chutes, and a hand-operable member mounted to operate in the divergent space between said coin-chutes to force a deposited coin into contact with either looking device to release the associated cover.

17. In a vending machine, the combination of a casing provided with a pair of covers rotatable transversely of the machine in opposite directions, a pair of coin slots provided between said covers, coin-controlled mechanism associated with each cover for actuating the same, a single hand-operable device arranged between said mechanisms and movable in opposite directions to cause actuation of one or the other of said mechanisms through the medium of the deposited coin, and a flange on each cover for automatically closing the associated coin slot when the cover is open, said flanges also forming positive stops to limit the movement of the covers into open and closed position.

18. The combination with a coin-controlled machine having a plurality of coin chutes, and movable means for retainin a coin in each coin chute, of key mechanism adapted to be inserted into the machine for simultaneously operating all of said retaining means to release the coins.

19. In a coin-controlled device having a plurality of coin-chutes, the combination with movable means for retaining a coin in each coin chute, of key mechanism adapted to be inserted into the machine for simultaneously operating all of said retaining means to release the coins, said key mechanism being provided with means for receiving the released coins.

20. The combination with a vending machine having a plurality of coin chutes open at the lower end, means associated with each coin chute for retaining a deposited coin therein after the operation of the machine, and a single mechanism having portions adapted to be brought into operative relation to said coin-retaining means for simultaneously releasing the coins in all of the coin chutes.

21. In a coin-controlled device having a plurality of coin chutes open at the lower end, the combination with means associated with each coin chute for retaining a deposited coin therein after the operatlon of the de' vice, of mechanism adapted to be brought into operative relation to said coin-retaining means for simultaneously releasing the coins in all of the coin chutes, said mechanism being provided with means for receiving the released coins.

As a new article of manufacture for use in connection with multiple-compartment coin-controlled vending machines, a

plurality of key members rigidly connected together and adapted to be simultaneously inserted into the machine to release the coins restrained therein.

The combination with a coin-controlled lock having means to retain the deposited coin after operation, of mechanism having a key extension adapted to be inserted into the lock for operating said retainingmeans to release the deposited coin, said mechanism being provided with means for receiving the released coin.

2d. The combination with a coin-controlled lock having a plurality of independent means to retain the deposited coins after operation, of key mechanism adapted to be inserted into the lock for simultaneously operating all of said means to release the coins.

25. The combination with a coin-controlled lock having a plurality of independent means to retain. the deposited coins after operation, of key mechanism adaptedto be inserted into the lock for simultaneously operating all of said means to release the coins, said key mechanism being provided with means for receiving the released coins.

26. In a vending machine, the combination of a casing provided with a movable cover, a member for actuating said cover and automatically locking the same in actuated position, and coin-controlled mechanism for controlling the operation of said member.

27. In a vending machine, the combination of a casing provided with a longitudinally inclined coin-chute, means for movably supporting a coin in a tilted position in said coin-chute, a hand-operated member for tilting said coin flatwise on said support, operative mechanism disposed in the path of movement of the coin, the release of said hand-operated member automatically causing the coin to tilt back to its normal position on said. supporting means, and means for releasing the coin from said support.

28. In a coin-controlled device, the combination of a casing provided with a longitudinally inclined coin-chute, adjustable means for movably supportin a coin in said coin-chute, a hand-operate member for moving said coin on said support, operative mechanism disposed in the path of movement of the coin, the release of said hand operated member automatically causing the coin to resume its normal position on said support, and key-mechanism for operating said supporting means to release the coin.

29. In a vending machine, a casing pro- I said cover into open position, and means carried by said cover for automatically closing said slot when said cover is in open position. 30. As a new article of manufacture for use in connection with multiple-compart- In witness whereof we'hereunto subscribe ment coin-controlled machines, a plurahty our names this third day of April, A. D. of key members rlgldly connected together 1912.

and. adapted to be simultaneously inserted V EARL E. BARBER. into the machine to release the coins retained ALBERT D; GROVER. therein, the connection between said key Witnesses: members comprising means to receive the re- HENRY TEACHER,-

leased coins. B. P. RHOADESr Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of'Iatents, I

Washington, D. G. r 

